Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-11-03
"BOBBLES.
A Half Witted Boy Who Became
Hero.

| bound, slowed up at the little station, anu
two figures appeared on the rear platform
of the last coach. One was Hamilton, the
conductor, dubbed the "Duke" by the roll
ing-stock men, on account of his digniiied
carriage and over-bearing ways. The other
was a hnlxiug, over grown boy, with va
cant, almost expressionless face, and light
hair.
Come, hurry up and pile OFF, command
ed the "Duke."
'Huh?' interrogated the other, stupidity,
accelerating his movements not one whit.
Instead of repeating the command the
conductor dealt the slow one an energetic
kick In the rear that sent him tumbling OF
the steps, 20 land n blubbering heap, face
downward, In the soft Kansas mud.
Next time learn not To dead beat your
way remarked the Duke" grimly, as
the train moved on again.
No answer, except IA subdued howl, came
from the fallen one. A few moments later
the train disappeared through the real clay
cut.
| 'Ow, WOW = the fallen boy walled in n
| low, complaining howl. He made no at
tempt TO rise, but rolled slowly over In the
mud, muttering and moaning TO himself
like great baby.
Hello, there partner!' called the station
agent, n jolly, carc-for-naught looking
young fellow.
'Huh?' answered the PROSTATE boy, blink.
ing in owlsh astonishment at the other.
Come, jump up, called the agent you re
all over mud
| He kicked met moaned the lad, without
making the slightest attempt TO rise.
so | saw; but he didnt break any bones.
So. get up.
'He kicked mel! repeated the boy, mourn
fully.
We'll, what il he did? That don't force
you 10 wallow in the mud like hog.
Jump up and stop your sIiveling Get up,
or I'll kick you, too
The boy clumsily struggled TO his feet.
Are you hungry the station agent
asked
The boys dull eyes frightened. You bet!'
he answered, promptly, wholly forgetting
TO mention again the fact that the conduct
or had kicked him.
He was soon seated ut the table in the
| agents private den, partitioned off at one
end of the little depot. What is your name
aud where did you drop from?' asked Jack
Holiday, the agent, rs he regarded the
other curiously.
The visitor paused long enough in the
midst of the pleasing operation of satisfying
the inner may 10 reply, mumblingly:
Boobies, and-he kicked mel!
Without replying 10 the latter part of the
information,''so complainingly given, Jack
| Holiday remarked:
| 'BobblGS; Well that's "A queer name, upon
my word. Bobbles what?'
| 'NHhin' 'cept Bobbles. the idiot, the hoy
answered slowly. Least ways that's what
the boys say when they call me anything
sides Bobbles. don't like them boys, no
how, he added. They kick me, too
| You seem TO be the unfortunate recipient
of many kicks. Where did you come
| from?'
Dunno the boy answered slowly. Most
ten hundred thousan' miles. The boys
chased me an kicked me all the time an i
run away from 'em, so | did. Haint goin'
back no more, he added, with determined
shake of his white head.
Them boys was allus n kickin' me.
More Jack could not learn from the boy.
| He did not know his name and could not
remember where his home had been.
Lonesome, nd-he:.rted Jack Holiday
allowed him TO remain, and soon grew quite
fond of the simple lad.
| As Boobies shyness wore off he showed
| signs of greater mental ~ well as physical
| activity and assisted Jack in many ways.
i He soon learned TO cook, and took great
pride in being master of the culinary de-
| partment.
Jack found out that ut one time the boy
| had been able 10 read and write and under
Jacks constant tutorage, Bobbles presently
regeined that portion of his lost knowledge.
| The boy grew to regard Jack much In the
same manner that faithful dog regards his
kind master. Often, for hours ut n time,
| while the station agent attended TO his du-
ties or sat comfortably reading and smok-
| ing, the idiot boy would sit crouchingly on
| his stool and regard Jack with grave, un-
| wavering stare.
| why do YOU look at me In that manner
Jack asked one day.
| Dunno Bobbles answered. Sometimes
il seems rs i'll was tryin' to think bout
some body can't just remember
Then, rs n thought seemed to strike him,
he added
I'm a idiot, haint Jack p
.Ne,' --..~----sI ti.a o.i.~-, ~~isl. careful
consideration for the foolish ones feelings.
Yes be. EVERYBODY ust to say so. They
was allus a-kickin' me fer bein' one. DO
folks allus kick idiots ? They can't help
bein' that way, can they Jack p
Hush, Bobbles" answered Jack, sooth-
ingly.
But want to know the boy persisted,
with pathetic pleading in his voice. why
don't you kick me, too, Jack p
'Why don't /? Bobbles, Because Bob
bles, you have enough misfortune to bear
| without that
Bobbles did not seem TO understand, but
he beamed upon Jack with n smile of posi-
tive kindness.
Jack. he said, Il like you.
The station was n lonely one and there
was not house in sight. Off TO the oppo-
site side of the great mound lay brown
wheat fields, and just after harvest much of
the grain was shipped from Jacks little
station. At other times the business done
there amounted to almost nothing, and the
trains seldom stopped unless tagged. Ev-
cry few days one of themail clerks dropped
off little, square perfUmed envelope as the
train whizzed past. On the return trip the
same clerk was always on the lookout to
reach friendly hand for the answering let
ter, addressed to dear little maid in an